Moulder Signs 10 to Recruiting Class

Murray State Head Baseball Coach Kevin Moulder has announced the signings of 10 student-athletes who will be playing baseball beginning next fall with the Racers. The 2016 signing class is comprised of eight freshmen and two community college transfers.

"I am extremely excited about the class we were able to put together for the early signing period," said Moulder.

"Coach Morgan and Coach Crawford did an outstanding job identifying and then recruiting these quality student-athletes to campus. We certainly noticed the momentum from our success on the field last year and the facility upgrades carrying over to this year's recruiting cycle. We were able to address all of our needs and expect this class to contribute to some of the most successful teams in recent history over the next couple of seasons here at Murray State."

Peyton Hayes, 6-2, 208 lbs., RHP, Huntsville, Ala., Wallace State CC
In eight appearances last season at Wallace State, Hayes pitched 14.1 innings and had an ERA of 4.40 while striking-out 10 batters. Received NJCAA Exemplary Academic Achievement Award. While at Grissom High School, Hayes earned Second Team All-State honors and recorded the third-most innings pitched in program history.

"Payton is a physical right-hander that is going to bring experience to our pitching staff and be counted on immediately," said Moulder.

"He pitches in an extremely competitive JC conference in Alabama and is a winner. He is a guy that as a senior in high school came to one of our camps and pitched in the low 80's and has worked his tail off over the past couple years and is now an upper 80's-90 mph arm. He really wanted to come to Murray State for our Agriculture degree, it is a neat story of how hard work can pay off and we are really happy to have him a part of the program."

Connor Holden, 6-4, 215 lbs., RHP, Louisville, Ky., Saint Xavier High School
Holden pitched a complete game, three-hit shutout in the Kentucky State Baseball Championship Game last season to lead Saint Xavier to a state title. Was named to the First Team All-Catholic Baseball Team and State All-Tournament Team last season after earning all-district honors. In the past two seasons, Holden has recorded a 13-1 record with 80 innings pitched and an ERA of 1.81 to go along with 70 strikeouts. Holden also threw a no-hitter his sophomore year.

"Connor has an extremely high ceiling and is a very physical young pitcher who looks like he should be playing tight end."

"He plays for one of the best high school programs in the state and is used to winning and competing at a high level. His best days on the mound are ahead of him and it will be fun to see where he is at in a couple years. Connor also considered some Ivy League-type schools but was sold on the quality education and athletic program here at Murray State."

31448

Matt Jacome, 5-11, 180 lbs., Pitcher, Brighton, Tenn., Brighton High School
Jacome is a two-time member of the All-District Seven and Eight Baseball Team and also made the TBCA Baseball Team in 2015 and 2016. As a team captain in 2016, Jacome made the all-district team and also pitched a no-hitter at the Murray State Classic. Was named his team's Most Valuable Player following the 2015 season.

"Matt is a big time competitor who has a great feel for pitching," commented Moulder.

"You don't find many guys his age with an advanced feel for what they are doing on the mound and that will serve him well, as he should be able to compete immediately for major innings. He is the type of pitcher than can throw any pitch in any count and has good stuff on top of that, so it is a great combination."

31458

Jake Jones, 6-4, 180 lbs., P/1B, Oak Forest, Ill., Oak Forest HS
A three-year starter at Oak Forest High School, Jones was named all-conference last season after he posted an 8-1 record with an ERA in 1.5. As a sophomore, he helped lead the varsity to a conference championship.

"Jake is a tall and lanky right-handed pitcher who is a great athlete."

"He is a very good high school basketball player and will benefit greatly when he turns his focus strictly to pitching. Jake is a strike thrower, has a very good curve ball and is extremely projectable. He is another guy I am extremely excited to see what he looks like in a couple years physically."

Dylan Letellier, 6-2, 175 lbs., SS, Jacksonville, Fla., Terry Parker HS
While at Parker, Letellier helped lead the Braves to a district championship. Letellier was named Honorable Mention All-First Coast while hitting .452 with 25 RBIs and scoring 23 runs. For his career, Letellier is hitting .437 with 11 extra-base hits, 44 RBIs and scored 51 runs in 69 career games.

"Dylan is a gifted infielder with great hands and is a big time defender," said Moulder.

"He plays in a great baseball area coming from Jacksonville so he has been competing at a high level his entire life. Dylan should make an immediate impact for us. Dylan is also the first player I've recruited that played for a coach that I coached in college, so that doesn't make me feel young."

Will Moriarty, 6-5, 205 lbs., RHP/1B, Crestwood, Ky., South Oldham High School
As a four-year member of the varsity squad, Moriarty is a two-time all-district honoree while also being named to the All-Region and All-City Teams. As a sophomore, Moriarty led South Oldham with a .368 batting average while his junior season, Moriarty hit .400 with two home runs, 10 doubles and 28 RBIs. On the mound last season, Moriarty pitched 18 innings and recorded 25 strikeouts with an ERA of 1.50. Moriarty has helped lead the Dragons to three District Championships and a Regional runner-up finish. He is also a perfect 4.0 GPA student.

"Will is a big man who is gifted athletically and equally, or more importantly academically."

"He is extremely versatile as he as the ability to play the outfield and first base and will also pitch for us. He is a middle-of-the-lineup type bat and certainly a physical presence in any lineup and has big power potential."

Weston Schad, 6-4, 225 lbs., Infielder, St. Charles, Mo., Westminster Christian Academy
Has played for the Wildcats for three seasons and last year, Schad hit .403 with 12 doubles and a .696 slugging percentage. 2016 Perfect Game Underclass Honorable Mention All-American.

"Weston is another physical bat with major power potential," said Moulder.

"What I love about Weston is, he is a power presence in the lineup, but he also moves around extremely well and has the ability to play multiple infield positions. He can also run a bit on the base paths. He plays at one of the top high schools in the state of Missouri and plays for one of the top summer programs in the Midwest, so he is used to winning and competing at a high level."

Jack Schneider, 6-2, 190 lbs., OF/RHP, Owensboro, Ky., Daviess County HS
Schneider has led the Panthers in batting average each of the last two seasons and as a junior, he was named all-district, all-region, all-area and to the 3^rd Region All-Tournament Team. Schneider was also named a Junior All-Star and following his sophomore season, was also an all-district honoree and was selected to the Sophomore Showcase.

"Jack is a special athlete who has a chance to be a special player with some development," commented Moulder.

"He is honestly one of the most gifted players in terms of raw ability and tools I have ever recruited. He is highly regarded in the national rankings of high school players and will have a pretty good chance to be a draft pick this coming summer. Jack had a lot of opportunities in terms of where he could go to school, but loves Murray State and has many family ties to the university."

Kyle Stevens, 6-2, 225 lbs., 1B/OF, Wentzville, Mo., St. Louis CC
Stevens was named the MCCAC Player of the Year following his freshman season at St. Louis Community College. Stevens was also a First Team All-Region honoree for the Archers. During his high school career at Timberland High School, Stevens was a two-time First Team All-GAC performer and was also the GAC's Player of the Year following his senior season. Stevens was also named First Team All-Metro that year.

"We feel like Kyle really puts an exclamation point on our recruiting class," said Moulder.

"He is a dynamic middle-of-the-lineup type bat, who we considered the best JC hitter out of the state of Missouri. He has hit everywhere he has been and will help fill the void of some of the bats that will be departing due to graduation and possibly the draft this year. He also brings some versatility as he can play both corner outfield and first base which will leave us some flexibility with our lineup next year."

Grant Wood, 5-11, 185 lbs., IF, Jefferson City, Mo., Jefferson City HS
In 2016, Wood was named First Team All-State and First Team All-District while leading the Jays to a runner-up finish in the state in Class Five. Wood was named to the 2016 American Family Insurance All-USA Missouri Baseball First Team and was named the Jays' Offensive Player of the Year. Wood has also been named his team's Defensive Player of the Year the last two seasons and is a member of the National Honor Society.

"Grant is one of the top high school players out of the state of Missouri and plays at one of the best high schools in the state."

"In fact, his team lost to Ryan and Justin Perkins and Braydon Cook's Francis Howell team in the large school state finals of Missouri last year. He is a very good infielder that can play shortstop as well as third base and is a very offensive infielder. Grant is going to be a special player for our program."

Murray State University Athletics

Related News

Related Videos